Mai Thai neighbors ask state not to renew liquor license

Thursday

Jul 12, 2012 at 12:01 AMJul 12, 2012 at 12:03 PM

The state Department of Consumer Protection’s Liquor Control Division has confirmed the receipt of at least 10 letters of objection to the renewal of a liquor license at the Mai Thai Restaurant — enough to trigger a review and possible hearing for its upcoming license renewal.

GREG SMITH

The state Department of Consumer Protection’s Liquor Control Division has confirmed the receipt of at least 10 letters of objection to the renewal of a liquor license at the Mai Thai Restaurant — enough to trigger a review and possible hearing for its upcoming license renewal.

The Laurel Hill Avenue bar, whose liquor license is set to expire Aug. 8, was the site of a fatal shooting June 24 and has been the focus of neighborhood complaints of mismanagement.

The letters from residents, a remonstrance petition, has yet to be fully verified, according to Consumer Protection spokeswoman Claudette Carveth.

Norwich City Manager Alan Bergren said the city helped facilitate the process and listened closely Sunday to concerns from neighbors gathered at a neighborhood meeting. One man in attendance found a hole inside his house from a stray bullet on the night of the deadly shooting. Local legislators, Bergren said, were made aware of the issue.

“They were clear they are very concerned with what’s going on up there, and we share their concern,” he said.

The building housing Mai Thai is owned by local developer Janny Lam and is for sale.

Norwich Mayor Peter Nystrom said another meeting is planned for 9 a.m. Saturday at the Laurel Hill Fire Department for more residents interested in starting their own neighborhood watch group. Representatives from the Greeneville block watch group are expected to attend.

Nystrom said the majority of complaints about the restaurant surround the management of the business and activity at the bar after closing time, “which, by the lack of controls, seems to be encouraged.”

No one answered the phone at the restaurant Wednesday. Eric Sang, who is listed as the bar’s permittee on the liquor permit, did not respond to an email seeking comment.

“They’re not respecting the neighborhood the way they maintain this place,” Nystrom said. “Patrons stay on the back deck and continue to socialize after hours, the music stays up ... people bring guns to this place. It shows a real lack of standard. It’s a bad situation that can’t be allowed to continue.”

While a sign outside the bar states “now open,” nearby residents say patrons have been few and far between. Thomas Moore, a neighbor of the restaurant, had not heard about the effort to block the liquor permit.

“Every weekend, the place was packed and there was a fight,” Moore said. “Since (the shooting), the most cars I’ve seen is two out front. I hope they shut it down because obviously, they can’t control the place.”